Manchester United boss Marc Skinner warned United are “not taking another celebration for granted” as they prepare to face rivals City tomorrow night in the Subway Women’s League Cup – just three days after beating them in the league.
United beat City away from home for the first time ever in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday evening, winning 4-2 to leapfrog the Blues into third place. A hattrick from Ella Toone, a goal from Leah Galton, and several defensive errors from City sealed the victory for United – but City don’t have long to wait for a chance at revenge. The two face off at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday night for a spot in the League Cup semi-finals.
City have won the competition four times, while United are yet to make it to the final.
What did Marc Skinner say?
“Manchester City are going to come, they’re going to have fire in their bellies – they’re going to be after us, they’ve just lost the game so they want to turn that around of course and we’ve got to match that.
“We’ve got to use our fans and all the energy to create a cauldron and if we can do that, we know we can trust that we can get the result but we know how difficult it’s going to be.”
Asked if his players felt a psychological edge over their rivals following the weekend’s victory, Skinner said: “It can work both ways. Manchester City will be fired up for this game of course because they’ve just lost the league game, so I expect it to be a great learning for us.
Embed from Getty Images“I spoke before and after the game about this being a younger group that hasn’t experienced this type – you know, two years ago, that team had experienced the big stadium games and winning there. So I think it’s a big growth moment but I think even this game here will be another growth moment for us. Can we follow it up, can we be as aggressive, can we take it to Manchester City 0 and only then after those moments can we talk then about maybe having a psychological edge.”
The United manager also reflected on details that could be improved from Sunday – after United sailed into a 3-0 lead, City pulled two goals back from headers in the box before halftime.
“Trying to stop crosses is really important – Man City are really good, there’s a lot of underlapping, overlapping, rotation from the tens in the pocket so again just tidying up that detail when we know it;s coming. And then really in all honesty, the first goal is very preventable from our perspective – I’m sure Man City can say the same about the goals that they conceded – so I think we’re in right position,s we just need to be aggressive. so I think we can tidy that up. And then in reality to concede a set piece when we’re usually very, very good in them was disappointing too. So little little details I think, stopping those crosses, trying to be effective there, but just expecting that Man City will bring that energy and commitment. We’re going to match it and go above it if you want to win this game.”
With a short turnaround between the two derbies, and a league clash with Brighton to prepare for on Sunday, Skinner confirmed there would be “adaptations” to the team. “Whether that’s from the start of or the end of the game, I’m sure Man City will be the same as well knowing that they’ve got Villa on Saturday – so it’s a quicker turnaround for them as well. I’m sure there’ll be rotation – more importantly for us like players that deserve minutes.
“It’ll be adapted throughout the game.”
Skinner was also questioned what he said to hattrick scorer Ella Toone after she was substituted off in the second half on Sunday, with a clip of the moment having taken off on X.
Embed from Getty Images“You never know the camera’s on you, by the way! Basically Ella, in the game, was speaking to me and saying: ‘Look, in midfield, you know, we need a little bit of help here’ – but the reality was we were jumping the wrong person at the wrong time or not being aggressive enough on the jump so it looked like then City had the overlap. So it was just a moment to express that to her – because I mean you saw how much energy and commitment she put into the game, got the hattrick, so it’s just about really clarifying that. And it’s a great moment to do it for her because she went ‘yeah, look, I understand it’. It was nothing about show, nothing like that, it’s just really to try and hit it in the moment.”
He also spoke on Toone’s excellent performance since returning from a two-month injury layoff – which followed the tragic death of her father.
“Even with all the difficult stuff she’s been through, I want her to enjoy football because it’s her life – she loves it.
“The game, as we progress more towards these professional standards, the pressures can take away that enjoyment, but I felt that she’s been exceptional in dealing with that. We need to add the support around her, we need to continue the support around her, but she has a fantastic network at home I know that . And she has a fantastic you know management group behind her … we just need to keep keep her enjoying it because we all enjoy it when she enjoys it.“
United have been quiet in the transfer window so far, with the arrival of Kayla Rendell as backup goalkeeper (though she is cup-tied for tomorrow’s fixture) their only incoming. Skinner would not comment on rumours linking Chloe Kelly with a loan move to United (“I’m sure you can expect my answer, that we don’t speak about other teams’ players“) but added on their transfer business more generally: “We’ve always said at Manchester United that if it’s the right person at the right time that fits this group, this collective, this unique group of teammates, then you know we can look to try and do business. but if it isn’t … the winter window’s always notoriously a little bit more difficult to do work in.,
“If we do you’ll know – if we don’t then we’re happy with the togetherness of this group.”
Manchester United host Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday 22nd January at 19:00, with full coverage on FromTheSpot.